🛋️ Keep Calm and Carry Less 🧘‍♂️

A delightful delve into the timeless cliché of setting one's heart at rest, swapping stress for serenity.

📘 Keep Calm and Carry Less: Dismissing Worries with Classic Cool

Definition:

To stop worrying; to dismiss one’s anxiety and relax.

Origins:

This phrase was famously used by William Shakespeare in A Midsummer Night’s Dream: “Set your heart at rest,” in Act II, Scene 1. It also made an appearance in John Ray’s 1670 proverb collection, showcasing its stay power in the English lexicon.

Don’t worry, be happy: An iconic phrase, also the title of a famous song by Bobby McFerrin which encourages casting off stress.
Chillax: A modern blend of ‘chill’ and ‘relax’.
Take it easy: A timeless instruction to slow down and avoid stress.
Let it go: Immortalized by the Disney movie Frozen. Unless you live under a rock, you can’t ’let go’ of this one.

Synonyms:

Relax
Unwind
De-stress
Lighten up

Antonyms:

Worry
Agonize
Stress out
Fret

Humor-filled Quote:

“Don’t worry about the world coming to an end today. It is already tomorrow in Australia.” – Charles Schulz

Proverbs:

En la tranquilidad está la fuerza (In tranquility there is strength): A Spanish proverb reminding us of the power of calmness.
As you sow, so shall you reap: Sometimes linked philosophically to the idea that worrying over actions won’t change their outcomes.

Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies:

Books: The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama & Howard Cutler
Poetry:
- Leisure by W.H. Davies: “What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare…”
Movies:
- Eat Pray Love – A journey about soul-searching and letting go.
- The Sound of Music – “I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don’t feel so bad.”
Songs:
- “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin.
- “Let It Be” by The Beatles.

Intriguing Quizzes:

### Which of these phrases tells you to stop worrying and relax? - [x] Let your heart be at rest - [ ] Enter the tension chamber - [ ] Fret over nothing - [ ] Overthink everything > **Explanation:** "Let your heart be at rest" encourages ease and dismissal of worries. ### Which phrase is designed to dismiss anxiety? - [ ] Panic and freak out - [x] Take it easy - [ ] Stress like a pro - [ ] Agonize endlessly > **Explanation:** "Take it easy" is a call to relax, often used to advise people to avoid stress. ### True or False: 'Set your heart at rest' is a Shakespearean phrase. - [x] True - [ ] False > **Explanation:** True! This phrase comes from William Shakespeare's *A Midsummer Night’s Dream*, resonating through centuries as a beautifully composed reminder to relax.

Remember, life’s too short to stress out – Shakespeare said so, Bach wrote music about it, and Disney animated it! Until next time, breathe deeply, set your heart at rest, and let your worries float away like leaves on a gentle breeze.

Thank you for letting me guide you through the magical and often oddball world of clichés. Should you ever feel overwhelmed, remember: in a world full of stressors, you have the power to kick back, let go, and carry on with a lighter heart.

Cheerio, with wishes of tranquility and laughter,

L. F. Lightheart